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Beko lets the numbers tell the story of easier everyday living

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From 40-minute full-load washing and 59-minute oven cleaning to 30% longer freshness, Beko’s global brand portfolio turns innovation into measurable benefits for everyday life.

ISTANBUL, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Beko, a global leader in home appliances, showcases innovations from across its global brand portfolio, helping make everyday routines simpler, faster and more efficient.

Beko: Making everyday routines faster and easier

Beko delivers reliable performance and greater efficiency across everyday household routines, with technologies designed to make better use of time, energy and resources without compromising on results.

In laundry care, Beko combines proven cleaning performance with greater time and energy efficiency through its patented UltimateWash Technology, featured in the new Ultimate40′ program. Ultimate40′ delivers the same proven cleaning performance on a full load in just 40 minutes1, powered by an enhanced inner drum paddle and an updated washing algorithm that dissolves detergent faster and spreads water more evenly through the drum. The result: everyday dirt is lifted quickly across the entire load, saving up to 35% in both time and energy2 on daily programs.

In the kitchen, Beko’s PyroPro Self-Cleaning Technology takes the effort out of oven maintenance. Using the intense heat of 420°C, it burns away grease and food residue, leaving only fine ash that wipes away easily, delivering a full clean in just 59 minutes while using up to 47% less energy3 than a standard pyrolytic cycle.

Beko is also bringing greater flexibility to refrigeration with its latest cabinet designs, combining food care technologies such as AeroFlow™, which supports stable temperatures throughout the refrigerator to keep food fresh for 30% longer.4

Our new high-capacity and energy-efficient bottom mount refrigerator range includes 54 cm built-in and 60 cm freestanding models. The 54 cm built-in combi comes with a B energy class, while the 60 cm combi features a sleek, ergonomically positioned display on the crisper, putting freshness control right at your fingertips.

The new +600L large-format range includes 91 cm 4-door multi-door and 91 cm side-by-side refrigerators, offering a more spacious, premium format for busy households. With an ice & water dispenser available on both models and up to 2 kg of ice made per day, refreshing drinks are always ready to enjoy.

Together, the updated cabinet range has been developed to help preserve freshness for longer, support more efficient storage and make refrigeration easier to integrate into different kitchen spaces.

Whirlpool: Intuitive technology meets refined design

Whirlpool is combining advanced technology with refined design to help consumers get more from their everyday appliances. With a clear focus on the premium segment, the brand brings together refined design, intuitive technology and personalized innovation to create appliances that deliver a more seamless everyday experience.

In laundry, Whirlpool washing machine technology operates 60%5 more efficiently than A energy class models, and with a 9 kg capacity, it delivers powerful cleaning performance while significantly reducing energy consumption.

In the kitchen, Whirlpool’s MattProtect Technology combines refined design with lasting surface protection. Compared with standard glossy ceramic glass, matte glass delivers up to 3x greater scratch resistance, up to 3x more effortless cleaning and over 3x higher resistance to chipping6, so surfaces stay looking flawless for longer even under the daily intensity of real cooking.

Hotpoint: Over a century of trusted expertise

Since 1911, Hotpoint has been a trusted partner at home, with care at the heart of the brand. Its technologies are designed to bring greater care and convenience to everyday life, helping consumers protect the things they value most.

Its FabricCare™ Technology, featured in the brand’s tumble dryers, optimizes drum movement so that clothes experience less friction and gentler contact during drying, delivering up to 2x gentler drying7 and helping favorite clothes last longer.

Hotpoint is also bringing restaurant-style results into the home with its pizza function. A dedicated high-heat pizza function delivers a crispy crust, even browning and perfectly cooked toppings in just 3 minutes8, with three intensity levels to suit different dough types and pizza styles.

Ragıp Balcıoğlu, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at Beko, said: “Innovation is not only about introducing new technologies. It is about understanding how people live and turning technology into solutions that deliver real benefits in everyday life. Across our brands, our latest innovations combine technology, performance and thoughtful design to save time in laundry and drying, simplify food preparation and cleaning, and help keep food fresh for longer. Powered by our global experience across markets and brands, strong R&D capabilities and design expertise, we continue to develop solutions that make everyday life simpler, more efficient and more enjoyable, while supporting a more sustainable way of living.”

About Beko

Beko is an international home appliance company with a strong global presence, operating through subsidiaries in more than 55 countries with a workforce of around 45,000 employees and production facilities spanning multiple regions—including Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. Beko has 22 brands owned or used with a limited license (Arçelik, Beko, Whirlpool*, Grundig, Hotpoint, Arctic, Ariston*, Leisure, Indesit, Blomberg, Defy, Dawlance, Hitachi*, Voltas Beko, Singer*, ElektraBregenz, Flavel, Bauknecht, Privileg, Altus, Ignis, Polar). Beko is the largest white goods company in Europe with its market share (based on volumes) and reached a consolidated turnover of 10.7 billion Euros in 2025. Beko’s 28 R&D and Design Centers & Offices across the globe are home to over 2,000 R&D employees and hold more than 4,500 international registered patent applications to date. The company has achieved the highest score in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) in the DHP Household Durables industry for the seventh consecutive year (based on the results dated 16 October 2025).** The company has been recognized as the 89th most sustainable company on TIME Magazine and Statista’s 2026 list of the World’s Most Sustainable Companies and has been the sector leader for three consecutive years. Beko’s vision is ‘Respecting the World, Respected Worldwide.’   

www.bekocorporate.com   

*Licensee limited to certain jurisdictions.   
**The data presented belongs to Arçelik A.Ş., a parent company of Beko.  

1 Based on a third-party test report comparing the Beko Ultimate40′ program using UltimateWash Technology with Beko’s fastest 40°C cotton program without this technology.

2 In addition to achieving up to 35% lower energy consumption, the Cottons, Synthetics, Mix, GentleCare, Wool, Hand Wash, Duvet, Outdoor/Sports, Dark Care, Drum Clean and 20°C programs also provide up to 35% time savings compared to the Beko WML 91433 NP washing machine, without compromising washing performance.

3 Based on the new Beko pyrolytic oven’s 59-minute program with graphite enamel, compared to the 120-minute program.

4 Weight loss and sensory evaluation tests based on the parameter “overall acceptability”, used for the determination of the shelf-life, were conducted by Intertek on carrot, fresh-cut iceberg, fresh-cut tomato, strawberry, salami, and kashar cheese samples stored in the AeroFlow™ refrigerator and control refrigeration (without the AeroFlow™ technology) for a 12-day period. The results were evaluated by comparing samples stored on the bottom front shelf of refrigerators.

5 (Whirlpool WPM 912G ADS IT) 60% more efficient (EEI of 20.8) than A energy class (EEI limit of 52) as defined by EU regulation 2019/2014.

6 Based on tests performed by TÜV Rheinland under controlled laboratory conditions comparing matte and glossy ceramic glass: cleaning performance was evaluated by the number of sponge strokes required to remove standardized food residues; chipping resistance was assessed through repeated soiling-and-cleaning cycles until more than two visually detectable chips appeared; scratch performance was assessed under equal stroke counts by comparing the applied pressure required to achieve the same level of scratch visibility.

7 Tested by SGS, comparing drying performance of a Hotpoint dryer with FabricCare Technology to a comparable model without FabricCare under the same test conditions. Results show up to 2x gentler care.

8 According to internal tests developed and validated by the Food Tech Lab: fresh pizza was baked at low, medium and high power levels using a fixed 20-minute preheat, with doneness assessed by weight loss (%) and crust browning intensity measured by image analysis.

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China Hour Expands Reach of Chinese Audiovisual Content in South Africa Through Multi-Platform Partnership

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NANJING, China, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — “China Hour,” a year-round media initiative jointly operated by Jiangsu Broadcasting Corporation (JSBC) and the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), is significantly expanding the footprint and accessibility of Chinese audiovisual content across South Africa.

Marking the first time a Chinese broadcast media institution has established a year-round, dedicated daily broadcast mechanism with an African national public broadcaster, the project leverages SABC’s television network and digital streaming platform, SABC+, bringing over 100 hours of localized Chinese programming directly to South African households since its launch in June 2026.

The initiative first gained momentum in April 2026, when senior SABC leadership attended the 13th China Internet Audio & Video Convention and officially announced the joint project with JSBC. To solidify and expand upon these initial results, JSBC and SABC formally signed a new cooperation agreement on August at the 7th Forum on China-Africa Media Cooperation in Beijing. The signing was witnessed by senior leadership from China’s National Radio and Television Administration and South Africa’s Department of Communications and Digital Technologies.

So far, China Hour has already achieved rapid audience engagement. The popular fantasy drama series The Starry Love, which premiered on SABC2 on July in a dedicated 10:30–11:30 p.m. daily broadcast block, entered SABC+’s monthly Top 10 chart in its debut month, becoming the first Chinese television series to achieve a Top 10 ranking on the streaming platform.

Beyond hit drama series, the broader China Hour content catalog spans diverse genres designed to offer South African audiences holistic perspectives on contemporary and historical China. Featured titles include flagship documentary series such as The Grand Canal, Wetlands Our Land, Reading on the Island, and Architecture China, as well as popular short-form productions including A Dream Like True Love and Wildfire, among others.

To streamline content adaptation, JSBC deployed its proprietary Lychee Media AI Module for automated multilingual translation and dubbing adaptation. Integrated with rigorous human editorial review, this hybrid workflow enhances production efficiency while ensuring content complies strictly with local language nuances, cultural contexts, and broadcasting regulations.

The project builds on more than a decade of strategic exchanges between JSBC and African media organizations, including active participation in regional markets. Continuing its commitment to industry collaboration, JSBC will once again co-organize the China Pavilion at MIP Africa in Cape Town this October, showcasing new intellectual properties and exploring cross-border content licensing opportunities.

Looking ahead, JSBC and SABC plan to deepen cooperation across program curation, platform operations, and audience development, while welcoming broader collaboration with media stakeholders across the African continent.

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viaim Rise Receives Two 2026 IFA Innovation Awards; Indiegogo Campaign Launches September 8

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BERLIN, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — viaim today announced that viaim Rise, its AI Agent Earbuds, won Best in Audio and was named a Best in Design Honoree at the 2026 IFA Innovation Awards. The recognition highlights Rise’s combination of acoustic engineering, AI-assisted work features and a distinctive smart charging case.

The recognition at IFA 2026, one of the world’s most significant technology trade shows, validates viaim’s unique vision for the future of work. Following this successful unveiling in Berlin, viaim has confirmed that the viaim Rise will be available for global consumers via a crowdfunding campaign on Indiegogo, launching on September 8, 2026, at 9:00 AM ET.

Beyond Audio: Listen. Think. Act.

viaim Rise combines premium wireless earbuds with an AI Agent workflow designed for everyday work. Built around Listen. Think. Act., Rise helps users capture conversations they choose to record, understand them in context and prepare next steps that remain under the user’s control.

Engineered for the modern professional, Rise supports user-initiated recording, transcription and translation for phone calls, in-person meetings and multilingual conversations, covering 78 languages and 145 accents. The system’s breakthrough lies in its ability to connect these recordings directly to project context, surface actionable insights, and hand off tasks—by voice—to the AI platforms users already rely on after the user confirms, such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.

Award-Winning Hardware Meets Intelligent Software

The dual IFA Innovation Awards reflect the product’s commitment to both sonic excellence and functional design. The ‘Best in Audio’ win acknowledges the product’s premium acoustic architecture. The viaim Rise features a powerful 11mm + 6mm dual-driver configuration, delivering Hi-Res Audio Wireless with LDAC and LHDC support. Coupled with an advanced ANC system featuring transparency and voice pass-through modes, the earbuds ensure high-fidelity sound, while a comprehensive multi-microphone array with bone-conduction VPU guarantees crystal-clear call quality, regardless of the environment.

At the same time, Vision Intelligence officially announced a partnership with Bose, a world-leading audio brand. viaim is working with engineers from Bose’s Audio Technology business to enhance the audio performance of viaim products. Working with Bose, viaim will leverage the company’s decades of technical expertise in active noise cancellation and acoustics to improve AI Agent hardware and enable robust perception and decision-making capabilities.

The ‘Best in Design’ honor recognizes the product’s innovative form factor: a unique dual-device ecosystem. When users press the two side latches, a mechanical structure raises the earbuds from the charging case—a physical expression of the Rise name. The smart charging case also serves as a recording entry point: with at least one earbud inside, users can start a recording without opening the case or reaching for a phone. When connected to a computer over USB-C, its three-microphone array can support desktop meeting capture through the viaim PC app.

Indiegogo Launch Details

The viaim Rise will officially go live on Indiegogo on September 8 at 9 AM ET.

Super Early Bird Offer: Early backers can secure viaim Rise with a $259 pledge, compared with a planned MSRP of $399.Added Value: Every backer will receive a 3-month of the viaim Pro subscription for free, unlocking the complete potential of the AI Agent ecosystem.

“We are honored by the recognition from IFA,” said the viaim team. “Rise is built to move work forward. By merging professional-grade acoustic hardware with a sophisticated AI agent workflow, we are transforming the way professionals capture their ideas and execute their daily tasks.”

For those interested in experiencing the future of AI-powered productivity, join the Indiegogo campaign at https://www.indiegogo.com/en/projects/viaim/viaim-rise, or visit viaim’s official website at https://store.viaim.ai/ to learn more

About viaim

viaim develops AI-native hardware and intelligent agent services designed to help people capture information, understand context and move work forward. As of May 2026, viaim has served more than 1.5 million registered users across over 200 countries and regions worldwide.

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Bringing Local AI Home: UGREEN Introduces Privacy-First HomeAgent for Smarter Living

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BERLIN, Sept. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — UGREEN, a leading global consumer technology brand, announced two new product lineups at a European launch event. The unveiling of the UGREENHomeAgent series of agentic local AI hubs and a new MagFlow lineup marks UGREEN’s next stage of growth. Building on its established presence in digital accessories and smart storage, the company is now dedicated to a broader spectrum of intelligent consumer electronics designed to enhance everyday life.

UGREEN HomeAgent: Agentic Local AI Hub for Homes

At the center of UGREEN’s broader intelligent consumer electronics vision is UGREEN HomeAgent, a groundbreaking Agentic AI Local Hub unifying local storage, computing, and control into one device. It connects a growing ecosystem of UGREEN AIoT devices, including security cameras, smart speakers, and smart photo frames, as well as third-party devices.

UGOS Pro is UGREEN’s in-house operating system built on a Linux architecture, offering professional storage management, robust data security, easy backup and sync, and extensive expandability.

UGREEN HomeAgent is powered by the all-new UGOS Pro, combining NAS-grade storage and data management with integrated home security features, smart home capabilities, and natural voice interaction to deliver a more complete all-in-one experience.

Traditional surveillance cameras usually only document bad news, and their footage is constantly overwritten, so the moments truly worth keeping quietly disappear. That’s why UGREEN set out to redefine the home camera system, not as a surveillance tool, but as a camera for life.

“HomeAgent proactively recognizes moments that are truly worth remembering and organizes them into a personalized daily briefing for every family. Moments that might otherwise be forgotten can return. We want to help families preserve the precious time they spend together.” – Samuel Zhang, CEO of UGREEN

As an agentic local AI hub integrating on-device intelligence, local storage, AI computing and smart-home control, HomeAgent serves as the AI brain of the connected home. Designed to keep data private and local, it enables intelligent file management, proactive home monitoring, voice-driven automation and unified device control. The ecosystem includes the HomeAgent HA100 and HA100 Pro, the NVIDIA® Jetson Thor™-powered MasterAgent MA100, SynCare smart cameras, the UGREEN Smart Speaker for Uliya, and UGREEN Gallery smart frames, while remaining compatible with third-party Matter-enabled devices. Together, they deliver a private, expandable AI platform that helps users preserve memories, monitor their homes and coordinate devices through natural, context-aware interactions.

MagFlow Pro: Active Heat Dissipation and Sustained Fast Charging

Announced alongside HomeAgent, MagFlow Powerbank is the world’s first liquid-cooled Qi2 25W magnetic power bank, featuring CryoPulse™ micro-pump liquid cooling, active heat dissipation and sustained fast charging.

The launch complements UGREEN’s strong range of charging options, outlining the brand’s commitment to true-rated performance and flagship-quality power.

Availability Timeline

Pre-orders for the UGREEN HomeAgent HA100, HA100 Pro and UGREEN MasterAgent MA100 opened on September 4, 2026, via the UGREEN AIoT Official Store, and remain available until the official Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign launches on October 27, 2026. Other AIoT accessories will be introduced as part of the Kickstarter campaign beginning on October 27. During the pre-order period, customers can place a deposit starting at $50 to reserve the UGREEN HomeAgent HA100, HA100 Pro or UGREEN MasterAgent MA100 and secure 50% off with the Super Early Bird discount.

About UGREEN

UGREEN is a leading global tech brand creating innovative products that make everyday life smarter, easier, and more connected. From smart charging and productivity to smart storage and AIoT, UGREEN designs technology around the needs of modern life.

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